A number of dangers within Queensland's coal mining industry have surfaced as part of an investigation into the sector's safety standards.
The Coal Mining Board of Inquiry was set up after a serious methane ignition at Anglo American's Grosvenor Mine near Moranbah in May.
Part one of the inquiry's report has been released, after a set of hearings on gas incidents at other mines including Oaky North, Moranbah North and Grasstree.
The inquiry found salaries paid to officials within the Queensland Government's independent mining inspectorate were "markedly inadequate".
"The inspectorate continually struggles to attract and retain inspectors, in large part because of the lower levels of remuneration for inspectors compared with positions in the industry," the report said.
"A properly resourced regulator, comprised of well-qualified personnel, is fundamental to safety in the coal mining industry."
The Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) said adhering to the recommendations was crucial in preventing another disaster.
"We don't want another Grosvenor in 2021 where workers had an opportunity to speak up, but felt like they couldn't because of fear of reprisal," the union's mining president, Steve Smyth, said.
"The industry is not treating the issue of gas exceedances with the respect it deserves."
Bonuses for low incident reports an issue
A key question posed in the inquiry was how overall safety culture was impacted by incentives that rewarded mine officials for having a low number of incident reports.
For the CFMEU's Steve Smyth, the answer was simple.
"Let's not kid ourselves, bonuses make up an important part of a workers' pay in the coal industry," he said.
"The bonuses linked to safety need to go."
The board found prescribed limits on methane concentrations were less strict in Queensland than in New South Wales and some other parts of the world.
"Reportable methane exceedances have genuine potential to cause permanent disabling injury or loss of life," it said.
Automation part of the solution
In a statement, Mines Minister Scott Stewart said the Government had rolled out the greatest suite of mine safety and health reforms in 20 years, including a new offence for industrial manslaughter and improved prevention of black lung disease.
He did not comment on the board's recommendation that pay be improved for inspectors.
Anglo American said it looked at every aspect of risk management at its underground mines, and was accelerating solutions such as automation.
"Removing people from potential harm offers the greatest opportunity to materially improve safety in underground coal mining," the company said.
It said it would continue to cooperate fully and transparently with the Board of Inquiry.
Hearings into the Grosvenor Mine incident will begin in March and the board's final report will be handed to the Mines Minister soon after.
